Offices

11 Hanover SquareNew York City, New York10005

My Approach to Helping

I have 20 years of experience working very productively with couples and individuals of diverse backgrounds, age, and sexual orientation. My job is to help you identify dysfunctional patterns of thought and behavior that contribute to - even perpetuate - the difficulties you are having. Working collaboratively, our focus in therapy is on removing psychological and behavioral obstacles that prevent you from reaching your personal/career goals and having better relationships.

My approach is supportive, empathetic and, above all, pragmatic. While I believe that understanding the past is essential, change occurs in the present. I will challenge you to be an active partner in therapy and to work toward ongoing insight, growth, and positive change both in and outside of sessions.

My experience ranges from psychotherapy and assessment of families, adults, and couples to counseling trauma survivors and persons with major illness. Whether you seek to make a major change, overcome a life blow or obstacle - or break a chronic pattern - I will strive to meet you where you are at.

More Info About My Practice

Office is conveniently located in lower Manhattan - near express trains.Fees: $150-$250 (sliding scale)Out of network reimbursement provided by many PPO insurance plans

Specific Issue(s) I'm Skilled at Helping With

I am especially experienced and oriented to working on relationship issues. I have many years experience working as a couples counselor, as well my own long-term relationship experience, which also informs my work as a therapist.

As well, I have an expertise in finding innovative and collaborative ways to treat PTSD.

My View on the Purpose of Psychotherapy

The purpose of psychotherapy is to help you overcome personal obstacles (emotional, practical, historical) that you have been unable to transcend on your own - or with the help of significant others. If you feel stuck in your personal growth, psychotherapy is probably for you.

My Role as a Therapist

To help to facilitate positive change.

My Guiding Ethical Principles

The most important guiding principle for me is integrity. On one hand, that means always bearing in mind the role you have assigned me: to be of real (and lasting) help. My actions - to the best of my ability - should never interfere with that. But integrity also means something else: to be consistent in my beliefs and interventions. For example, if I meet with one member of a couple separately, I strive to remain consistent in my approach, even if some of my responses may be unwelcome in the short-term; again, my goal is to be of real and lasting use to you. Overall, behaving with integrity means that I try to be as honest and direct as possible, while maintaining compassion and empathy. At times, that can be a balancing act.

Important Factors for Choosing a Therapist

It is essential that you believe that the therapist's mission/agenda for the therapy is congruent with yours; and that he or she employs the methodology and has the skills to help you achieve your therapeutic goals.

The Duration and Frequency of Therapy

The simplest answer is that, ideally, therapy continues as long as it's useful to the client. Specifically, the duration of a productive therapy can range between two months and five or even more years - meeting weekly or, sometimes, biweekly. Ultimately, the client - of course - determines when the therapy is complete. If we have been working in a productive, collaborative manner, it's likely that it will also feel "right" to me, when the client decides to suspend therapy. I say "suspend" rather than "stop" because clients will periodically return (sometimes years later) when they feel that there is a need.